Colon Cancer
It’s a disease that has increased its presence in the last few years, each time it’s possible to detect it early on thanks via endoscopy that’s done as part of a patient’s regular check-ups.
When the colon cancer presents/displays it’s general or advanced symptoms (in this case the symptoms are intestinal obstruction, with impossibility to evacuate, flattened stools as thin as shoelaces) and therefore there’s little that can be done in order to treat it, since it’s generally already invading other organs like the liver.
It’s a digestive tract cancer that has increased its presence in the last years, it affects both sexes almost in the same proportion.
Colon cancer symptoms are scarce, reason why it is difficult to diagnose it clinically, since it only gives annoyances when it’s of great size and causes obstruction in the intestine, unfortunately at this stage very little can done in order to cure it.
The only study that can suggest any alterations is to look for microscopic blood on the excrement, if the results are positive it’s imperative to conduct an endoscopic diagnosis study.
From all of the above, the coloscopy is an extremely important study, since it allows us to completely evaluate the extension of the colon and to detect any alterations and if so to solve such a problem.
Colon cancer has an important hereditary component, reason why if in your family there’s a history of colon cancer (direct family, parents, grandparents, uncles, brothers) it’s of extreme importance that a coloscopy needs to be conducted in order to discard any problem. Remember “Cancer is curable if it is detected on time”.
All people who are 40 years or older must be examined with a coloscopy to discard colon cancer, if a family history does exists, it’s recommended to conduct a study if your 35 years of age, instead.
What to do?
- All of us must be examined with an endoscopic study of the colon (coloscopy) as a check-up to discard the presence of colon cancer. The optimal age to conduct one is at 40 years of age, and if a family history exist (parents, brothers, uncles, grandparents) then it should be done at 35 years of age or in case of some sign or symptom exists, such as positive hidden blood in feces.
- Consult with your doctor so he can inform you and anwser any of your questions.
